Signaling system



R. M. HOPKINS.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED on. 20, 1916.

1,360,954, Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY ueureo STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD M. EIGPKINS, 0F NEVJ YORK, N. Y.

, ASSIGNOR- To AMERICAN DISTRICT TELE- GRAPH GGMPANY, or JERSEY our, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SIGNALING- SYSTEM.

Application filed. October 20,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD M. HOPKINS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to signalling systems, and particularly to systems wherein one or more call boxes, thermostats, burglar alarms, or other transmitting devices are to cause the operation of signal giving devices in a plurality of circuits. The system is particularly applicable to lire alarm systems of large stores, warehouses, etc., where, in the event of fire, alarms are to be sounded at a large number of different points. In such systems, it is usually desirable that only a relatively small number of alarm giving devices shall be located in any one circuit; hence the occasion for the provision of a plurality of circuits for such alarm giving devices. It is desirable that the circuits shall be constantly under test, so that in case of any derangement (such for example as breaking of the circuit, or grounding of the circuit,) a trouble signal shall be given; yet in case an alarm is sounded, the several circuits of the alarm giving devices should be connected separately to the source of current supply; so that derangement of one such circuit shall not prevent operation of the other circuits, and so that there shall be ample current in each circuit for the operation of the alarm giving device thereof.

My system herein illustrated and described is particularly intended to be used in connection with signal giving devices which require relatively strong currents for their operation, as compared with the currents required for electric bells and the like, so that it is desirable that the supply of current to such signal giving'devices shall be controlled by relays of a type adaptable for the handling of moderately large currents, and of a type Which, for various reasons, it is not desirable to include directly in the transmittercircuit itself. The signal giving device of the application of Charles P. Pollak and myself, filed September 11, 1916, Serial No. 119,423, is an example of a type of signal giving device which is convenient foruse in the system herein described.

Specification of Letters Patent.

1916." Serial No. 126,650.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

taining signal giving devic operating current ,or strength than that ordinar electric bells and the like,

somewhat es requiring an greater 11y required by and to provide for the automatic continuous testing of the signal giving circuits in a and by means currents.

I will now proceed to des tion with reference to the drawings, and will features in claims. In said of relatively small testing simple manner cribe my invenaccompanying then point out'the novel drawings Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating my in vention, the break wheel and contact pen of the relay B being omitted to of illustration; and Fig. 2

diagram,'on a larger scale,

avoid confusion is a fragmentary showing means 76 for transmitting a signal to a central station in the event of trouble occurring in the transmitter circuit.

.Referrmg first to Fig. 1:

nate, respectively, incoming current leads, T designates circuit, one side of which is and the other side to G.

V and G desigand outgoing a transmitter connected to V T designates transmitters, diagrammatically illustrated,

included in the circuit T.

ters maybe of any suitable iently, they call boxes, T, and of cessively These transmittype. Convenmay be ordinary hand-operated connected in series in the circuit a type which, in operating, sucbreak and close the circuit T so as to transmit a distinct signal; but they may also be automatically released, or automatically known type, for exampl which are thermostatically thermostatically operated.

Included in the circuit T lay A, and a delay action or F F F circuits for alarm vices operated, transmitters of well e, transmitters controlled, or

are a main retime relay B.

and F 4 designate respectively vices, which deare designated by character F. C is a relay, preferably of the solenoid type, which operates contacts controlling circuits F, F

F and F D D* Transmitter circuit supply lead V, passes throu relay A, and thence through in series and through the B to return current lead G.

are relays controlling the trouble signal hereinafter mentioned.

T starts from current gh the magnet of the transmitters magnet of relay Normally, this d and F is connected in a circuit leading from i apparent that circuit is complete, and therefore the magnets of relays A and B are energized. en thefmagnet of relay A is deenerglzed, said relay closes a circuit from current lead V through conductor 1, the solenoid magnet of relay C, conductor 2, normally closed contact s of relay B, conductor 3, the armature and back contact of relay A, and conductor. 4 to the other current lead G. Normally each of the signal giving circuits F F F current lead V through a conductor 7, 7, etc., to said circuit conductor, F F etc., and thence through the signal giving devices in that circuit to a return conductor f etc., and so to G." These conductors F, f,

etc., include resistances R R etc., which limitthe current flowing normally through circuits F F etc., to a value insuiiicient to operate signal devices F, and sufficient only ,for testing purposes. conductor F F etc., and

From between each its return lead f", 7, etc., there is a shunt wire a a etc., leading to a corresponding normally open contact .0 0 etc., of relay C, and thence to the return side of the corresponding signal giving circuit F when the solenoid magnet of relay C is energized, upon deenergization of magnet of relay A, as before explained, signal giving circuits F F etc., will all be 7 connected in multiple to current leads V and ing" through a current event through generator G, through shunts a 01?, etc., whereby resistances R R etc., are shunted out, so that current of strength sufiicient to operate sig-' 7.

nal devices F will then flow through said circuits.

Test relay D is permanently connected from the return side of'circuit F through G, Relay D conductor f to current lead operates a contact d in a circuit 5-6 leadgenerator 7 and trouble signal device 8. It will be clear that a break or ground in the circuit F or interruption of the current supplied to that'circuit, will cause relay D to close circuit 5-6,

so operating the trouble alarm 8. Similarly, relay D is'i'ncluded in circuit F and in the of a break, short or ground in that circuit will'close circuit 5 6 so operating trouble signal device 8. Relays D and D are similarly connected in circuits F and, through a circuit 910, also leading break,

I short or ground in said circuits F or F The signal giving circuits F F* are, therefore, normally under test.

From the foregoing it will be clear that in case one of the transmittersTi operates the magnet of relay A Will'be deenergized and re'nergized successively, the solenoid magnet of relay C Will be energized and deenergized successlvely and current of suf- 'erator 7 and trouble signal F respectively. It will be and F",

7 and trouble signal de- -vice 8, will cause the operation of that trou- Q ble signal device in the event of'a ficient strength to cause theoperation of the signal giving devices F of the various circuitsF F F and F will pass intermittently through such circuits, so operating those signal giving devices. But the magnet of relay A will also be decnergized in the event of a break in circuit T;in which case .if means were not provided to prevent, the various signal giving devices F would opoperation the arm 12 does not rise far enough'to open contact .9 f0r,'as above stated, relay B is a delay action or time relay, and' the clockwise motion of its armature is retarded by a ratchet-driven gear train 13 and fan 14. But in the case of a break in circuit T the deenergization of the magnet of relay B continues for a sufficient time, so that the arm12 opens contact 8 thereby deenergizing the solenoid magnet of relay C, causing the contacts 0 0 etc., of

that relay to open, and so stopping the operationpofthe various signal giving devices F, though trouble signal 8 continues to opcrate. r i

When, in normal operati on, one of the transmitters T ceases to operate, or when in the event of development of a break inlcircuit T, the relay 13 opens its-contact a after apredetermined interval of time, the relay C is again restored to normal condition, so restoring tonormal condition the various circuits F F F andF. This automatic restoration isa feature of some importance,

because, in certain alarm systems now in use,

the operation of the alarm-giving devices, such as devices F," ;-in the event of development of trouble in the transmitter: circuit, results in the blowing of certain fuses, or other derangement of apparatus which requires visitof an attendant-and manual repair. According to any present invention, however, this is-not necessary, because, as just explained,

the instant the transmitters, T cease to operate, or the instantthe relay B opens contact 8 therelay C isreturned to normal condition automatically.

It is desirable in many cases to transmit a signal to a" central station when trouble has developed. To this enda suitable break wheel and pen may be provided on the relay B. Qne type-of alarm transmitter T? cominonly used in the circuits of this system, comprises means 'for'sending a signal toa central station, as well as'means for operating the circuit T to cause the operation or" the signal devices F. Without limiting myself to details of construction, in Fig.2 I have indicated, diagrammatically, an arrangement of break wheels and contact pens which may be employed in such a transmitter; 15 designating the break wheel; and 16' the corresponding contact pen, for circuit T, and 17 designating the break wheel and 18 and 19 contact pens, for the central station circuit 20. l have not shown the clock train for driving these break wheels, but it may be assumed that the clock train of an ordinary call box is used for the purpose. Likewise, in Fig. 2 the break wheels are shown as of different diameters, for convenience in illustration only. It will be clear that when the transmitter to which these break wheels belong is operated, not only will break wheel 15 and pen 16 break and close the circuit T in accordance with the signal tobe transmitted, but also that break wheel 17 and pens 18 and 19 will alternately break and close central station circuit 20 in accordance with the signal to be transmitted through that circuit.

Now, in order that relay B, when operated, by something other than an ordinary signal may transmit a signal through the circuit 20, that relay B is provided with a break wheel 21 and pen 22, connected in a circuit 20; this break wheel being, in the construction shown, gear-connected to the armature shaft of the relay by gears 24 and 25; and when the relay is in normal condition, the end of the pen 22 is at such distance from the beginning of the signal-toothed portion of break wheel 21, that small motions of the armature of the relay, such as are due to normal operation of the transmitters T do, not bring the toothed portion of the break wheel opposite the pen 22; While, on the other hand, a more 1 )rolon 'ed motion of the armature of the relay, such as is, due to a break, short or ground in the circuit T, causes the teeth of this break wheel to pass'the pen 22, so sending the signal of that break wheel through the circuit 20.

It will be noted that in case of a short or ground in that portion of the circuit T which particularly contains the transmitters T relay B sends a signal to central station through circuit 20 by means of its break wheel 21 and pen 22, and also, by completing its contact s causes the trouble signal device 8 to operate.

It will also be seen that when a break, short or ground in such circuit T is repaired, the relay B is automatically. restored, its contact 8 being broken as a result of such automatic restoration so that no attention need be given this relay after the repair of the break, short or ground.

. In another application for Letters Patent Serial No. 126,649, I have claimed means, in-

cluding the delay action relay, for stopping the operation of main signal giving devices m the event of development of trouble in a transmitter circuit controlling such signal giving devices; also means for sending a sig nal through a circuit other than the trans mitter circuit T or the circuits F F etc., in the event of development of trouble in the transmitter circuit; Therefore such inventions are not claimed broadly herein.

Vhat I claim is 1. In a signaling system, the combination with a source of current supply, a transmitter circuit comprising one or more transmitters, a signal-giving circuit comprising one or more signal-giving devices, means, including resistance, connecting said signalgiving circuit to the source of current supply, such resistance normally limiting the current in such signalgiving circuit to a value insufiicient to operate the signal-givingde vice or devices therein, a trouble signal device comprising operating means normally included in such signal-giving circuit, and means, controlled by such transmitter circuit, for shunting out the said resistance when a transmitter in such, transmitter circuit operates.

2. In a signaling system, the combination with a source of current supply, a transmitter circuit comprising one or more transmitters, a signalgiving circuit comprisingone or more signal-giving devices, means, including resistance, connecting said signalgiving circuit to the source of current supply, such resistance normally limiting the current in such signal-giving circuit to a value insufficient to operate the signalgiving device or devices therein, a trouble signal device comprisingoperating means normally included in such signalgiving circuit, a relay included in said transmitter circuit, and switching means controlled by such relay and arranged to be operated by the relay to shunt out the said resistance when a transmitter in such transmitter circuit operates. v

3. In a signaling system, the combination with a source of current supply, a transmitter circuit comprising one or more transmitters, a signal-giving circuit comprising one or more signalgiving devices, means, in cluding resistance, connecting said signalgiving circuit to the source of current sup ply, such resistance normally limiting the current in such signal-giving circuit to a value insutlicient to operate the signal-giving device or devices therein, a trouble signal device comprising operating means normally included in such signal-giving circuit, a relay included in said transmitter circuit, a second relay and a circuit therefor controlled by said first mentioned relay, said second relay arranged upon operation of said first mentioned relay to shunt out the said resistance, and a delay action relay controlled by said transmitter circuit and arranged, in the event of a prolonged-break or ground in said transmitter circuit, to cause said trouble signal device to operate and also to nulllfy, as to the second relay',the

effect of the operation of the transmitter circuit relay.

4; In a signaling system, the combination -W1th a source of current supply, a transmitthe event of development of trouble in the transmitter circuit.

5. In a signaling system; the combination with a source or current supply, a transmitter circuit comprising one or more transmitters, a signal-giving circuit comprising one .or more signal-giving devices, means controlled by said transmitter circuit and controllingsaid signal-giving circuit, and arranged to cause the signal-giving device or devices'to operate in the event of operation of one of said transmitters, and a self restoring delay action relay included in the return end of such transmitter circuit, and comprising transmitting means arranged to operate in the event of development of troublein the transmitter circuit. I 7

6, In a signaling system, the combination With a source of current supply, a transmitin circuit comprising one or more transmits ters, a signal-giving circuit comprising one or more signal-giving devices,rmeans controlled bysaid transmitter circuit and controlling said signal-giving circuit, and arranged to cause the signal-giving device or devices to operate in the event of operation of one of said transmitters, and a delay ac tion relay included in the return end or such transmitter circuit, and comprising transinitting means arranged to operate in the event of development of trouble in the transmitter circuit, a trouble signal device comprising operating means normally included in such signal-giving. circuit, said delay action relay comprising contact means: arrangedto cause operation or such trouble signal means'in the event'of development of trouble in the transmitter circuit.

' 7. Ina signaling system, the-combination with a source otcurrent supply, a transmitter circuit comprising one or more transmitters, fa signal-giving circuit comprising one or 'more signal giving devices, means controlled by said transmitter circuit and controlling said signal-giving circuit, and arranged to cause the signal-givingv device or devices to operate in the event of operation of one of said transmitters, and a selfrestoring delay action relay included in the return end of such transmitter circuit, and comprising transmitting means arranged to operate in the event of development of trou ble in the transmitter circuit, a trouble signal device comprising operating means normally included in such signalgiving-circuit, said delay action relay comprising contactmeans arranged to cause operation of such trouble signal means in the event of development of trouble in the transmitter circuit. 7 i' In testimony specifica'tionin the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses. V e

. RICHARD M. HOPKINS:

Witnesses: s

GRAGE HILnEBR N'r, CATHERINE J; FLEMING.

whereof- I have signed this 

